HUNDREDS of children dressed in colourful apparel took to the streets of New Amsterdam where, under bright sunshine, they celebrated their annual Children’s Costume and Float Parade and Rally in the East Berbice/Corentyne Region.

The procession commenced at Main and Trinity Streets and concluded at Esplanade Park. During the journey, parents and teachers kept a close eye on the nursery school children, who were prancing to music blaring from oversized boxes mounted on canter trucks which headed the parade on the main thoroughfare.

The St Mary’s Nursery and Trinity Street Nursery Schools’ focus was on the emerging oil industry which is expected to transform Guyana.

Their float, “Lisa Destiny”, was greeted with loud applause from the scores of on lookers who lined the street.

The Trinity Street children depicted the varying careers within the oil industry, while St Mary’s recognised Guyana as an oil-producing nation.

That aside, the kaleidoscope of colours reflected on the mood of the participants who were afforded the opportunity to ‘Mash’, prior to February 23, and, it reflected on the theme “Education, the future is now. Transforming the sector through a decade of development.”

Over 20 schools were represented, including the privately-owned Grace Pre School, Nurney Nursery, Savannah Park Nursery, Mount Sinai Nursery, Alness Primary, Sheet Anchor Primary, Gangaram Primary, New Market Primary, Vryman’s Erven Secondary, Tutorial Academy and the Berbice Education Institute, among others.

The performance of a dramatic poetry piece, “50 years”, by a child of St Mary’s was well received by the audience which had gathered on the bleachers of the Esplanade Park. Similar excellent performances were executed by calypsonians from Vryman’s Erven Secondary School and Sheet Anchor Primary, along with a dramatic poem, “I ain’t taking no side,” by Gangaram Primary and “Jubilee Victory” dance by Tutorial Academy.
In his address, New Amsterdam, Mayor (ag) Wainwright Mc Intosh, applauded the significant contribution of the government to the education sector.

“For this reason, let us celebrate,” he said.

While acknowledging the efforts of Guyana’s founding fathers, Mc Intosh, also an education officer, urged the gathering to be proud of their history as Guyana celebrates 50 years as a Republican.

“Our republican status did not happen by chance, but there were leaders who championed our cause… we need to be proud. We need to reflect on our theme for this year’s republic celebration, ‘Guyana together, let us reflect, celebrate and transform.”

Meanwhile, Regional Education Officer, Bhagmatie La Cruz, welcomed the participants and noted that the parade culminated the series of activities held by the Department of Education, while Assistant Regional Executive Officer, Vanetta Thomas, highlighted the history of Mashramani through the art forms.

The programme was chaired by Neville Bourne, graduate headmaster of Number 56 Primary School.